The ups and downs of the daily temperatures are throwing some of us for a loop. Please keep your eye on the weather as this week progresses and have your child dress appropriately. We do encourage them to wear layers as they can take them off as they see fit. Which leads me to a reminder to have your child(ren) check lost and found for any items they may be missing. At the end of the year, these leftover items will be donated to a local store.

Our fifth graders visited Horizon Middle School on Friday. It's the beginning of their transition to get prepared for middle school. There will also be a parent information night on May 4th and Fun Night for 5th graders on May 5th. See the newsletter for details.

The kindergartners also got to visit CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital this past week as well. Please see their pictures in the newsletter. They had a great time learning about visits to the hospital and hopefully this will relieve any anxiety they have if there is a need to go there in the future.

We met 46 of our incoming kindergartners on Thursday evening. It was great to meet all of them and their parents. Most of these students have older siblings already here at Kenwood.

This week:

• Tuesday, April 25th-NSCAS Math testing-3rd grade
• Wednesday, April 26th-NSCAS Math testing-4th & 5th grade, 2nd grade travel to Rowe Sanctuary in the afternoon
• Friday-April 28th-SNAG golf-5th grade go to Elks Golf Course, last day for lunch guests

Please look at the newsletter or on the Kenwood website calendar for upcoming events as we will have a lot going on until our last day on May 19th.

5th Grade Parent Information Night-Thursday, May 4th 5:45 to 6:45

Horizon Middle School gym

Horizon Middle School is excited to offer an informational meeting for parents of 5th grade students who will be attending Horizon next fall. This meeting will provide students and parents the opportunity to gather information as students begin the transition to 6th grade. Information will be presented regarding curriculum, middle school philosophy, and the opportunities available for next year’s 6th grade students. Please plan to attend, as it will be a great opportunity to visit Horizon, gather information, and ask questions. Students are welcome to attend.

Fun Night

Friday, May 5 at 3:45pm to 5:15pm

Horizon Middle School gym

The 5th and 6th grade Fun Night will be Friday, May 5th from 3:45 to 5:15pm in the gym and cafeteria. This is a great opportunity for 5th grade students to meet some of the teachers they will have at Horizon next year in an informal setting. It's also a time to have some fun with and ask questions of current 6th grade students.

The cost of entry is $5. Snack Shack will be available for purchases.

There will be basketball, volleyball, ping pong, board games, music, bingo, and much more.

Students will line up outside the northeast Gym doors after school. Parents can drop students off to line up no earlier than 3:40pm, and pick them up in the East Parking lot at 5:15pm.

May 15th

• 8:30 4th Grade Level Talent Show

• 9:30 5th Grade Level Talent Show

• 10:30 3rd Grade Level Talent Show

• 12:30 KB Dance Day (In Music Room)

• 1:30 2nd Grade Level Talent Show

• 2:30 1st Grade Level Talent Show

May 16th

• 12:30 KL Dance Day (In Music Room)

• 1:00 KF Dance Day (In Music Room)

May

1st-4th grade Trails and Rails

2nd-PTO meeting at 7 PM art room, MAP testing for gr. 2, 3, 5

3rd-MAP testing for 4th grade, Walk/Bike to School Day, Sneak Peek Presentations

4th-5th grade Parent Information Night at Horizon Middle School at 5:45

5th-5th grade party, last day to check out books from the library

10th-Move Ahead Day in the afternoon

11th-Graduation walk at 2:00/Open time capsule

12th-5th Grade Outdoor Expo field trip, Kindergarten Park Day, last day for AR quizzes, 3rd grade Tour of Kearney

15th-4th Quarter Reading Challenge Incentive, Grade Level Talent Shows

We are beginning our state testing these next few weeks. We are proud of our 5th graders as they took their time on the NSCAS Science test last week and as of right now, have surpassed last year's science median scaled score. Way to go, 5th grade! Grades three through five will be taking the NSCAS (Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System) ELA or English Language Arts test this week and Math next week. All we ask is that students get a good night's rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and are encouraged to take their time and give us their very best. This information helps us determine student growth along with standard areas of strength and needs improvement. Students in gr. 3 and 4 will test on Tuesday morning and grade 5 will test on Wednesday morning.

Also on Tuesday our kindergarteners will be traveling to the hospital for a hospital visit. Kindergarten Round Up is on Thursday evening at 5:00 and 6:30 pm. If you know of any families with kindergartners, please spread the word to get them registered with Sarah Larsen at 308-698-8029. No school for kindergarten on Friday.

Our fifth graders will be bussed to Horizon Middle School on Friday morning as they begin their transition to middle school.

Please see the Kenwood calendar on the Kenwood website for upcoming information and events. There are a lot of events coming up before the end of the year to plan for. Also a friendly reminder that we won't be having lunch guests during the month of May as we have a lot of events going on and schedule changes that take affect. Please call the school to make lunch arrangements during the month of April.

25-NSCAS Math-gr. 3

26-NSCAS Math-gr. 4 and 5, Kenwood 2nd grade go to Rowe Sanctuary

28-Last day for lunch guests, SNAG Golf for 5th grade (tentative)

May

1st-4th grade Trails and Rails

2nd-PTO meeting at 7 PM art room, MAP testing for gr. 2, 3, 5

3rd-MAP testing for 4th grade

4th-5th grade Parent Information Night at Horizon Middle School at 5:45

5th-5th grade party

What a beautiful holiday break. The sunshine always brings about lots of smiles and happiness along with the need to be outside. It looks like the temperature is going to dip later in the week so continue enjoying this wonderful sunshine!

Please join us on Tuesday evening at 7 PM in the art room for a PTO meeting. We are looking for a treasurer and secretary to carry out the duties next year. If you are interested, please contact Amanda Roy at amandaroy123@outlook.com.

The fifth graders will begin their state assessments (NSCAS-Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System) this Wednesday with the Science test. Please make sure your child is at school, eats a healthy breakfast, and is encouraged to do their best.

Also, on Friday we are asking fifth graders to bring a sweet treat, individually wrapped. Each snack will be fifty cents. This is our last snack sales of the year and proceeds will go towards the fifth grade party. Remember to send a couple of quarters will your child(ren) on Friday.

Next week third, fourth, and fifth graders will be taking the ELA NSCAS assessments. More information on the dates will be given next week.

Please see the Kenwood calendar on the Kenwood website for upcoming information and events. There are a lot of events coming up before the end of the year to plan for. Also a friendly reminder that we won't be having lunch guests during the month of May as we have a lot of events going on and schedule changes that take affect. Please call the school to make lunch arrangements during the month of April.

Thank you to our PTO and our Kenwood staff for organizing and helping out at our Kenwood Family Fun Night. The students really enjoyed having their parents with them as they ate a pizza meal and played one of our favorite games, BINGO!

18-NSCAS ELA-gr. 3 and 4, Kindergarten Days Hospital Visit

19-NSCAS ELA-gr. 5

20-Kindergarten Round Up--make sure you've registered!

21-No school for kindergarten, 5th grade visits Horizon Middle School

25-NSCAS Math-gr. 3

26-NSCAS Math-gr. 4 and 5, Kenwood 2nd grade go to Rowe Sanctuary

28-Last day for lunch guests, SNAG Golf for 5th grade (tentative)

May

1st-4th grade Trails and Rails

2nd-PTO meeting at 7 PM art room, MAP testing for gr. 2, 3, 5

3rd-MAP testing for 4th grade

4th-5th grade Parent Information Night at Horizon Middle School at 5:45

5th-5th grade party

This week will be a short one as we move into holiday break. School will be in session Monday through Wednesday. Thursday is a professional development day for all teachers. We hope you all enjoy your long break as this is the last one of the year. School resumes on Tuesday, April 11th.

Please see the presentation information attached in your email or in the newsletter that is being given for free at the Merryman Performing Arts Center about Kids Online Safety on Monday. This is for parents only.

This Tuesday is Kenwood PTO Family Fun Night. There will be Bingo in a couple of areas of the school building and a pizza meal that includes a slice of pizza, chips, and a bottle of water. This begins at 5:30 and ends at 7:00 pm. We hope you all can come enjoy this night with your family. The PTO is asking for a $1 suggested donation for each meal. Parents, if you used the sign up genius to bring donations, please do so by Monday.

The third graders will go on their Life on the Farm field trip on Wednesday. They will eat lunch early and spend the afternoon at the Buffalo County Fairground.

Also on Wednesday, the Horizon Middle School counselors will visit with our fifth graders to speak with them about their upcoming trip to the middle school and help prepare them for their transition. Later in the month on April 21st the fifth graders will travel to Horizon to explore and learn more about the school.

After the holiday break, our 5th graders will be completing the state Science test called NSCAS. Students in grades 3 through 5 will be taking the reading and math assessments the following weeks. Please encourage them to do their best.

A quick reminder that was posted last week, the month of April is the last time to eat with your child. The month of May gets very busy with field trips and other events that sometimes makes us rearrange our schedules which could affect lunch times. I'd suggest if you were planning on eating here in May to call ahead and see when lunch and recess are and sign out your child to go eat off of school grounds and then bring them back. It's a 40 minute time period so there isn't a lot of time but you could eat somewhere close. Just realize that the student would not have recess which I know disappoints them but I'm sure they'd be glad to see you.

Thank you and have a great week!

Social media and electronic devices are everywhere! We want to help parents stay informed about how to keep kids safe online. Kearney Public Schools will be hosting Kearney Police Department's Computer Forensic Investigator Dan Warrington on Monday, April 3rd at 6:00pm. Investigator Warrington's presentation on electronic devices and social media safety focuses on current and popular apps that are being used by kids, what considerations to look for from a parent perspective, as well as tips to keep kids safe online. Investigator Warrington has years of experience in this field and is a valuable asset to our parents who have questions or want/need more information.

This free presentation will be held at the Merryman Performing Arts Center on Monday, April 3rd beginning at 6:00pm. We anticipate about an hour-long program with Investigator Warrington as he presents and then answers questions, if asked. This presentation is intended for parents/guardians only and is not appropriate for children.

• 6:00 KIDS ONLINE SAFETY PRESENTATION AT MPAC-PARENTS/GUARDIANS ONLY

• 5:30-7:00 Kenwood PTO Family Bingo Night
  

• 3rd Grade Life on the Farm
• Horizon Counselors visit with 5th grade
  

• NO SCHOOL-HOLIDAY BREAK

• NO SCHOOL-HOLIDAY BREAK

• NO SCHOOL-HOLIDAY BREAK

April

6-No School, Professional Development

7-No School-Holiday Break

10-No school-Holiday Break

12-5th Grade Science NSCAS testing

14-5th Grade Snack Sales-proceeds go towards 5th grade Party

18-NSCAS ELA-gr. 3 and 4, Kindergarten Days Hospital Visit

19-NSCAS ELA-gr. 5

20-Kindergarten Round Up

21-No school for kindergarten, 5th grade visits Horizon Middle School

25-NSCAS Math-gr. 3

26-NSCAS Math-gr. 4 and 5, Kenwood 2nd grade go to Rowe Sanctuary

28-Last day for lunch guests, SNAG Golf for 5th grade

Parents are invited to lunch BUT we ask that you contact the school ahead of time so we can inform the Bearcat Diner of your order or other changes in schedules. Lunch times are also found on the Kenwood website. The month of May will be off limits as there are too many schedule conflicts to organize and work around so if you plan on coming, please do so before then. If you choose to bring fast food or other restaurant types of food, we will have you eat in the office or conference room area as it causes hard feelings for those who don't have those options.

This turned out amazing! Thank you to Mrs. Raffaeli, Kenwood art teacher, for working with all Kenwood students on this "TEAM" art mural. Each hand has specific details of each individual student of our school. Our theme this year is just that "Together Everyone Achieves More" and this demonstrates that when we do work together, it can make a beautiful piece of art! I absolutely love this and how awesome it turned out! Come see it by our art room!

We have numerous ways of staying connected and even more now--Remind App, school website, facebook, emails, texts--you name it. If you are ever having a difficult time getting a hold of someone, use the contact information below or contact the school. We want to make sure we stay in communication with everyone's needs.